SOUTHERN SECTION PREVIEW: IS NOTRE DAME NEW SIMI VALLEY? KNIGHTS MIGHT SWIPE THE PIONEERS' SPIRIT.

Byline: Vincent Bonsignore Staff Writer

Simi Valley's reign of dominance was so complete, it's difficult to remember when the Pioneers weren't the best boys' basketball team in the region.

It's been four years running - although you might get an argument from the 1998-99 Chaminade teams, which won back-to-back Southern Section Division IV titles. (However, Simi Valley beat Chaminade in head-to-head games both years.)

But now that the Pioneers' talented trio of Rafael Berumen, Branduinn Fullove and Bret Michel has finally graduated, it's time for another team to claim the title of the area's best team.

Or is it?

Don't forget, Simi Valley has 6-foot-9 center Dustin Villepigue, the best big man in the region, and a pair of ace outside shooters in Jered Weaver and Ryan Bradshaw.

Villepigue's hard work over the last few years was rewarded with a scholarship to Gonzaga University, and after averaging 12 points and eight rebounds as a junior, he's primed for a breakout senior year.

``I think as we went further in the playoffs and the more he had to pick up the slack to offset how other teams were trying to defense us, the more he realized he was capable of stepping up,'' Simi Valley coach Christian Aurand said. ``I think this year he's ready to take it a step further.''

Is that enough for Simi Valley to maintain it's recent dominance? Probably not. You can't expect to lose players like Fullove, Michel and Berumen and not suffer a letdown.

That's why, when it comes to the top team in the area, the honor this year goes to Notre Dame of Sherman Oaks, which has the one-two combination of Cody Pearson and Michael Luderer and is the favorite to claim the Mission League title.

Pearson, a tenacious, hard-working 6-4 guard, is the best player in the region and comes off a season in which he averaged 23 points and 12 rebounds. Luderer averaged 17 points and nine rebounds.

``Cody is without a doubt the hardest-working player we've faced, bar none,'' Crespi of Encino coach Dick Dornan said. ``He's at game speed from the first whistle to the last and you have to respect a guy like that.''

Chaminade is always a threat with 6-9 forward Scott Borchart, who will play at Santa Clara next year. He's been a starter since his freshman year and averaged 20 points and 10 rebounds last season.

Borchart is surrounded by a number of capable role players, including sharpshooter Ryan Arceo and guard Erik Johnson. Keep an eye on freshmen Marcus Everett - expected to make an immediate impact at point guard - and Marcel Jones, a 6-4 swingman with exceptional athletic ability.

``We have quite a bit of depth and it's going to allow us to do some different things this year,'' Eagles coach Jeff Young said.

Other teams in the Mission League who could challenge are Crespi, which features one of the top shooters in the region in Andrew Moore, and Loyola behind Omar Wilkes, who was named all-league as a freshman after averaging 14 points and three rebounds. Wilkes is the son of former Lakers' great Jamaal Wilkes.

Harvard-Westlake and Alemany both are rebuilding.

The Marmonte League should be a competitive race, with Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks and possibly Agoura, Westlake and Newbury Park challenging for the title. Moorpark and Royal have question marks but are expected to vie for postseason berths.

``There's definitely quite a bit of balance,'' Thousand Oaks coach Rich Endres said.

The Lancers closed the gap on Simi Valley last year in the Marmonte League but not enough to overtake the Pioneers for the league title. This year could be different, with slick-shooting swingman Kyle Kegley leading the way.

Kegley, 6-5, challenges Villepigue as the best player in the league. He's coming off a breakthrough junior season in which he averaged 20 points per game.

``He's improved as a ballhandler and a defensive player,'' Endres said. ``His all-around game should be stronger, and we expect big things from him.

The Lancers also have junior guard Dave Anderson and forward Ben Olson, who's coming off a spectacular football season.

Crescenta Valley isn't just the best team in the Pacific League, it might be the best team in the region. Senior forward James Jenkins returns, bringing his relentless work ethic that produced an average of 21 points and 12 rebounds a year ago. The backcourt features gifted young guards Chris Tarne and Jimmy Goffredo.

In the Golden League, Lancaster, which lost out on the league title a year ago by giving up a buzzer-beating layup to Quartz Hill in the regular-season finale, is the clear front-runner. The Eagles return Teddy Myers (8.2 ppg, four assists), Aaron James (10.1 ppg) and Anthony Gamboa (9.1 ppg).

``I think you have to consider Lancaster the team to beat,'' Littlerock coach Dale Brown said.

Littlerock lost Gene Myvett to graduation and standout Frank Robinson to transfer. The Lobos hope to make up the losses by spreading things around offensively, which means Jason Smith, Darryl Edwards and newcomers Mike Creel, Josh Pierce and Leandro Alejo will get a chance to average between eight and 12 points per game.

Quartz Hill, the defending champion, returns Tony Johnson, perhaps the best athlete in the league, and point guard Mychael Williams, who averaged 10 points and two assists.

In the Foothill League, the surprise could be Canyon, under new coach Chad Phillips. The Cowboys welcome back Matt Nelson (16 points) and Brian Waite, a 6-5 center.

``I'm in a good situation because we have an experienced team,'' Phillips said. ``As a first-year coach, it's nice to see the senior leadership we have.''

Burroughs has Keith Jarbo, one of the best athletes in the league, and Burbank point guard Frank Reed (14 points, five assists) will keep the Bulldogs competitive.

Hart, Valencia and Saugus should all compete for a playoff spot.